Psychology Essay | Understudied Relationships

Understudied Relationships

Summary: Essay discusses the two types of relationships of cyber and homosexual, which are understudied in psychology.

Peplau found that there are no gender differences between homosexual couples. Research found that most lesbians and gay men actively reject traditional `husband', `wife', and `masculine'/'feminine' roles as a model for enduring relationships, instead relationships were based on equality.

Kitzinger and Coyle found that more than 50% of the 252 partnered gay men that were researched had been involved in sexual affairs. They concluded that like heterosexuals lesbians and gay men have been socialised into conventional male and female roles. Lesbian relationships fit the traditional `female' pattern where the couples are often very close and share thoughts, feelings and are deeply committed to one another. Whereas the gay relationships fit the traditional `male' pattern and are likely to be more open - including sexually open compared to lesbians who are sexually exclusive.

Kitzinger and Coyle also found that homosexual couples showed a greater understanding for each other because same...